The pilots had reported a technical fault to the Air Traffic Controller (ATC) and proceeded for a precautionary landing, it said. Defence sources said the technician succumbed to his injuries, while the pilots were "stable". The wreckage of the helicopter was found on the banks of the river, said Senior Superintendent of Police, Kishtwar, Khalil Ahmad Poswal.

In Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district, an army helicopter with two people on board crashed in a forested area due to a technical fault on Thursday, according to officials. According to official sources, two pilots on board were injured and a technician was killed in the incident.

The crash took place in the hill district's Marwah area, the officials said.

"At about 1115 hours on 04 May 2023, an Army Aviation Dhruv helicopter on an operational mission made a precautionary landing on the banks of Marua river in the Kishtwar region of Jammu and Kashmir," the Udhampur-based Northern Command said in a statement.

The pilots had reported a technical fault to the Air Traffic Controller (ATC) and proceeded for a precautionary landing, it said.

"Due to the undulating ground, undergrowth and unprepared landing area, the helicopter apparently made a hard landing. Immediate rescue operations were launched and Army rescue teams reached the site," the statement said.

The injured were evacuated to the command hospital in Udhampur, the Army said.

Defence sources said the technician succumbed to his injuries, while the pilots were "stable".

The wreckage of the helicopter was found on the banks of the river, said Senior Superintendent of Police, Kishtwar, Khalil Ahmad Poswal.

Earlier this March, two pilots were killed after an Indian Army Aviation Cheetah helicopter crashed near the Mandala hills area in Arunachal Pradesh.

A search operation was carried out by the Indian Army, Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and police after the crash.

According to officials Army's Cheetah helicopter was on an operational sortie when it lost contact with the Air Traffic Controller. It was reported to have crashed near Mandala, West of Bomdila.